M5 Weston-super-Mare closure live as ‘police-led incident’ to continue well into morning
A major motorway[1] has been blocked off by police - with the carriageway now sealed off in both directions to motorists. Motorists and the general public are advised to avoid the M5 near Somerset[2], with the closure now in place between J20 Clevedon and J21 Weston-super-Mare. Avon and Somerset Police are leading the incident.
Emergency services and National Highway traffic officers are also on scene, Somerset Live reports[3]. This is an ongoing incident and you can follow the latest in our live blog down below.
06:01Rachel Vickers-PriceRevised Southbound diversion now available
National Highways have issued an updated directive for any motorists travelling southbound. "Road users are advised to follow the Hollow Circle diversion symbol on road signs," a spokesperson said.
Find the full updated diversion route below.
Diversion route
- Exit the M5 southbound at J18
- Head south on the A4, to the junction with the A3029
- Then the A3070 south-west to Long Ashton,
- Then south on the A4174, and south on the A38
- Re-join the M5 at J22.
National Highways added in a statement: "Please note that cars and lighter vehicles, if required, can head southbound to the J19, then head south-east on the A369 to Leigh Woods, then A370 south-west to Long Ashton, then south on the A4174, then south on the A38 to J22."
Northbound diversion advice now in effect for M5 motorists Rachel Vickers-PriceNorthbound diversion advice now in effect for M5 motorists
A National Highways spokesperson has advised northbound road users to follow the Solid Triangle diversion symbol on road signs for this morning's closures of the M5. See below for full details.
Northbound diversion route
- Exit the M5 northbound at J21
- Join the A370 north/east towards Bristol
- Travel north on the A370 through Congresbury, West Town and Long Ashton.
- In Bristol and the A370 junction with the A4, join the A4 westbound.
- Follow the A4 westbound towards Avonmouth.
- At Avonmouth rejoin the M5 at J18.
National Highways added that "the Bristol Clean Air Charge has been suspended for the duration of this closure".
05:54Rachel Vickers-PriceSunday traffic chaos locked in for Somerset with M5 likely closed for most of morning
The M5 in Somerset is closed northbound between J21 near Weston-super-Mare and J20 near Clevedon due to a Police led incident. Southbound is closed from J19 to J21.
Avon and Somerset Police are carrying out investigations at the scene. As per National Highways data, restoration timeframes are now sitting at an estimation of 10am.
05:26Peter HennessyAirport travellers may be affected
Travellers heading to and from Bristol Airport this morning will likely be affected by the disruption, National Highways has warned. The road remains closed due to the police incident.
04:40Rachel Vickers-PriceAdvice issued on M5 closure
The M5 closure in Somerset will remain in place for hours to come, National Highways have said.
National Highway charts indicate an estimated restoration time of approximatley 8.30am. A spokesperson advised motorists to be aware of closures as they hit the roads this Sunday morning. https://x.com/HighwaysSWEST/status/1995335378081812523[4]
"If this closure impacts on your planned route, please allow extra journey time. Plan ahead, you may wish to re-route or even delay your journey," they said.
04:07Rachel Vickers-PriceExpect delays to continue well into Sunday morning
Motorists can expect delays to carry on well into Sunday morning, with National Highways data indicating traffic officers have provided a restoration timeframe of about 7.30am. Traffic officers are at the scene to assist police during an ongoing incident at the M5 in Somerset.
As a result, the carriageway is closed northbound between J21 near Weston-super-Mare and J20 near Clevedon. Southbound is closed from J19 to J21.
03:36Rachel Vickers-PriceDiversion route for southbound travellers in wake of additional closures
National Highways have confirmed that southbound motorists now cannot access the M5 from J19 due to an ongoing police incident. Emergency crews are at the scene, with all lanes of the major motorway closed off in both directions.
The incident occurred at approx.
11.05pm on Sunday (November 30), National Highways said. National Highways reiterated that motorists should avoid the area. "Road users are advised to follow the Hollow Circle diversion symbol on road signs," National Highways said in a statement seen by the Somerset Live.[5]
"Exit the M5 southbound at J18, head south on the A4, then the A38, (and) re-join the M5 at J22."
03:08Rachel Vickers-PriceClosure extended to include additional section of roadway
Closures of the M5 have been extended to include a new stretch of road, National Highways data reveals, with southbound access now also blocked from junction 19. Southbound motorists are now unable to access the carriageway past Gordano Services. The latest inclusion adds to the southbound closure already in place for the M5 between junctions J20 and J21.
The M5 closure has extended to J19 for southbound traffic (National Highways)
The diversion - including its latest addition - will remain in place for hours to come, with normal traffic conditions expected by 5.30am.
01:26Rachel Vickers-PriceHow to follow M5 diversion route if travelling north
National Highways have initiated diversion protocols due to a closure of the M5 in both directions in Somerset.
Emergency crews are at the scene between J21 near Weston-super-Mare and J20 near Clevedon. A National Highways spokesperson said that road users should adhere to the Solid Triangle diversion formation, which can be seen on road signs, if travelling north. "Road users are advised to follow the Solid Triangle diversion symbol on road signs," they said.
Exit the M5 northbound at J2,1, join the A370 north/east towards Bristol, travel north on the A370 through Congresbury, West Town and Long Ashton, in Bristol and the A370 junction with the A4, join the A4 westbound. "Follow the A4 westbound towards Avonmouth (and) at Avonmouth rejoin the M5 at J18."
01:25Rachel Vickers-PriceDiversion route for southbound traffic now in place
The M5 in Somerset is closed in both directions between J21 near Weston-super-Mare and J20 near Clevedon due to a Police led incident. For those travelling south, National Highways have initiated a different protocol for motorists due to the M5 closure.
A National Highways spokesperson said that road users should adhere to the Hollow Circle symbol road signs if travelling south. The diversion protocol is as follows:
- Exit the M5 southbound at J18
- Head south on the A4, then the A38
- Re-join the M5 at J22.
Motorists advised to avoid area as delays expected
The M5 in Somerset is closed in both directions between J21 near Weston-super-Mare and J20 near Clevedon due to a police-led incident, National Highways have confirmed. Diversions are now in place, with traffic officers at the scene to assist those caught in the road closure.
A spokesperson from National Highways advised motorists to think ahead if they are planning to use the M5. "If this closure impacts on your planned route, please allow extra journey time," they said.
"Plan ahead, you may wish to re-route or even delay your journey."
01:23Rachel Vickers-PriceFull closure now in place
Emergency crews are at the scene of a now-fully closed down M5 in Somerset.
Avon and Somerset Police are leading the response to an incident currently unfolding between junctions 20 and 21; or Weston-super-Mare and Clevedon respectively.
References
- ^ motorway (www.mirror.co.uk)
- ^ near Somerset (www.mirror.co.uk)
- ^ Somerset Live reports (www.somersetlive.co.uk)
- ^ https://x.com/HighwaysSWEST/status/1995335378081812523 (x.com)
- ^ the Somerset Live. (www.mirror.co.uk)